There’s an old litmus test that goes around and from it you’re suppose to be able to tell the personality of a person. It’s not a 100% but little in life is. It is however very revealing and usually sparks quite the conversation.
Is the glass half full or half empty?”
Saying the glass is half full makes you an optimist and if you say half empty you’re pessimistic. Wow, if only life were that simple but it got me to thinking about bugs and how people, including technicians react to them.
We’ve all seen it I’m sure, the almost dead roach on his back still twitching and writhing from that deadly shot of Raid or the near perfect backhand from the tennis racket as it swooped from one end of the room to the other. There it is, helpless and clinging to life and all it can manage to do is wiggle a bit and move its legs. What is your reaction to this scene? Do you walk away knowing your job is done or do you reload and slam the little guy with the final death blow like any mighty conqueror would at the end of an epic battle? The answer just might put you into one of two separate categories and give us all a glimpse into your personality as it relates to creepy crawlers.
The bug is half dead
The folks who feel this way are bold and confident knowing that their treatment is working very well. They take this as a good sign and feel reassured that what they have done is more than enough. They are happy with the service and expect to see more just like it. They say things like; “look that bug is dying, your stuff is great.” They may still want to have some more spray ‘just to be sure’ but are easily dissuaded from that approach and are willing to give it more time. These people are optimists, logical and trusting.
The bug is half alive
These people feel unsure about the service and wonder if enough was done. They cringe at the sight of even a stone cold dead bug and want further treatments. If an ounce of spray did this to the roach they want a gallon. Whatever it takes where they don’t see a bug at all is what they demand and if they see any at all it dang sure better not be twitching. They might exclaim,”your stuff isn’t working at all, that bug is still alive and I want everything re-sprayed!” These people are anxious, harder to educate and uncomfortable with the sight of any bug dead or alive.
I don’t say this to criticize or say that one reaction makes that person better than the other. We all have comfort levels and insects can push
that to the limit with almost anybody. I merely point this out to show the difference in the tolerance levels and if you can honestly put yourself in one of the two categories you’ll get a good idea of what you expect from your bug man.
More treatments is not always the best answer in pest control even if the bug or bugs are still running around half dead, or is it alive. Anyway, I urge you no matter what your reaction to listen to the professional you’ve trusted with your home or the label directions that are on the product you used yourself. There aren’t any clauses on any product I’ve seen that call for dousing bugs to the point of drowning them. Responsible pest control sometimes means holding back a bit and giving the treatment just a little more time to work. Just for the fun of it I’ve put a survey here for you to answer. No one will know who you are so answer honestly and if you’d like put in a comment stating in your words how you feel. (we still won’t know who you are) Sometimes knowing how you handle this situation can be a break through and you may just be on your way to a better more responsible way of doing pest control.
